Improvement in spring bed-bottoms



UNITED STATES PATENT OF ICE.

GEORGE F. BETHUNE, OF NEWBURG, NEW'YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN SPRING BED-'BOTTONiS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 172,295, dated January 18, 1876; application filed May 24, 1875.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, GEORGE F. BETHUNE, of Newburg, in the county of Orange and State of New York, have invented certain Improvements in Spring Bed-Bottoms, of which the following is a specification:

My invention relates to the construction of bed-bottoms; and consists in forming the bed-bottom of elastic sTats, each one being formed of three strips joined at the extremities thereof, but having the middle portions separated by intervening pieces placed a short distance from the ends of the slats. In the accompanying drawing which illustrates my invention, and forms a part of the specification herein, Figure 1 is a plan view of my improved bed-bottom. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.

In the drawing referred to, A designates the bed-bottom formed by the elastic slats, as shown, each slat being composed of the strips on a the said parts being riveted together near the extremities at c. The small pieces indicated by g are fixed between the strips a suitable distance from the point where they are riveted together, so that the main bedbottom is elastic and somewhat pliant. The slats are connected together by the bands b, made of leather, or any suitable textile mate: rial, said bands passing about the slats at or near each end of the bed'bottom and fastened to each slat, as shown. B designates a rail The said rail B is supported by the springs cl cl attached thereto, and also secured to the cross-bar 0 below, as shown. At the foot of the bedstead the lower end of the bed-bottom rests on the cross-piece 1), the elevation of which, as will be seen, is somewhat less than that of the rail-B at the head. The bed-bottom being placed with its extremities resting upon the cross-pieces B and D is kept in place by the fixed pins 0. The strip a, being the main strip in the slat, is provided with a little cushioning, i, on each side thereof at the center to prevent the strips being pressed solidly together at that point. The object of the center slat a with the cushions i at the center, and provided with the pieces g near. each end, is to strengthen and support the upper slat which bears the weight, and can receive no support from the lower slat, as that has an opposite curve. The connection formed by the bands b, the same being fastened to the slats on both sides, allows the bed-bottom to b readily folded up for transportation.

Having described my invention, I claim In a bed-bottom the center slat a, with its cushions t', in combination with the strips a and a constructed as and for the purposes set forth.

In witness whereof I have subscribed my name hereto in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE F. BETHUNE. Witnesses:

CHARLES R. LEE, S. J. PARMENTEE. 

